The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-02-10

in Paris" said the same teacher quoted
! before, what sensation it used to cause
when the hour for the ladies' lessons
came. All the men except the master
and myself were put out. but now they
did beg to be allowed to stay! But the
master was ineXOrable. He was an old
soldier and believed in discipline But
they used to hang about the doors and
look through the keyholes. One young
fellow hid in closet once, but he was
found out and elected in great disgrace. :"
Regis Senac, the genial fencing-master
Of the New York Athletic Club, said
the other day that he never had so
many applications from women who
wanted to take lessons as he has since
Ms. Langtry became his pupil. NJ
Sehac is not her first master; she has
taken lessons in London, and is now
1H IRE expert in the use of the foil than
a woman often becomes The writer
was allowed to Ire preSent at one of her
lessons not long ago. N. Senac comes
to her house IN West Twenty-third
street every mofning while she is in
town. He is du9 at ten o'clock "And
L. said Mrs. Langcry, ''often don't rise
until he is announced; for yon can
imagine that sometimes it is a struggle
to get up for lesson, after having
worked hard the evening before. But
| find that l am the better all day for
the exercise; So l summon up my cOur-
age and tumble into my costume.
Mrs. Langtry's costume consists of a
close-fitting waistcoat of white buck
skin, large baggy trousers of white
flannel that descend to the knee, and
white stockings. She is too experienced
swordswOman to think of indulging
in any eXtravagances in the way of
heels. She wears bucllskin gloves, but
if her master were not an extremely
careful man she would be obliged to
wear Il heavily-padded glove, at least
on her right hand; for one sometimes
gets rap with the foil over the knuckles
lhat makes the whole arm tingle.
The first half of the lesson was just
over when the writer was admitted the
other morning. Mrs. Langtry had
thrown wrap over her shoulders as a
protection after the heat of exercise,
while Senac was pacing the floor in all
the glory of black velvet costume. |
After few minutes of rest work was |
resumed and the famous beauty rubbed |
the resin on her soles. put on her mask, |
and fell into position with the left arm
eXtended-all as naturally as |
if she had been brought up in fencing
rooms. Her motions had none of the |
wildnesS and loOseneSs which charac-
terize the efforts of a beginner. Every
was clean-cut and precise.
The play of her foil was so small that.
to use N. Senac's favorite simile, it !
could have been executed within the
ring of young girl. After about ten
minutes of this exercise Mrs Langtry
claimed the right to another rest
When she had recovered breath she was
eloquent in praise of fencing, and told
what it did for her.
Not only do l feel the good effects
IF my morning lesson all through the
lay she said, in general toning up
If the whole system, but find that my
is particularly valuable to me
n my profession. 1t gives me COM
nand over my muscles and supple
less that are invaluable on the stage"
NJ. Senac is as proud as peacock of
lis pupil. He gives her lessons in
as well. and an extremely
pretty picture she makes, twirling her
light cane about her head She calls it
he art of defending ones self with an
umbrella. Senac wants her to give
public exhibition with the fOils when
he comes back to New York Mrs.
-angtry does not absolutely refuse. but
he says that if she gives an exhibition
,nly ladies will be admitted. Probably
/ good many men will feel inclined to
'ut on patticoats for the occasiOn.-N
7. Tribune.